<\/p>\n
The People\u2019s National Convention (PNC) has described the new farm gate prices for cocoa as disrespectful to farmers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a very insulting and disrespectful gesture for cocoa farmers to sell their cocoa beans at GH\u00a2800.00 per cocoa sack,\u201d the party said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cFarmers find it difficult to manage the proceeds from this price. If cocoa farmers are not happy, productivity in this sector is also negatively affected. Many farmers are getting disappointed by the day.\u201d<\/p>\n
It believes the harsh economic conditions and high cost of inputs should compel an increase by at least 40 percent.<\/p>\n
The increase ahead of the 2022\/2023 crop season was 21 percent.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis would have brought up cocoa prices to a minimum of GH\u00a2925.00 instead of GH\u00a2800.00.\u201d<\/p>\n
The PNC has thus called for an upward review of the price.<\/p>\n
If further noted the implications that this could have on the fight against illegal mining.<\/p>\n
\u201cFailure to heed this alarm will give incentive to many more cocoa farmers to sell off parts or all of their farms to galamsayers as some farmers have already been reportedly doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat being said, the government should quickly come in to review this price increment not only to save our third-best export commodity but to save our water bodies,\u201d the PNC said.<\/p>\n